The Magpie-turned-Demon-turned-Swan has spoken out about leaving Melbourne and heading north.
Ruckman from Melbourne who moved to Sydney Brodie Grundy has begun his second trade transfer in as many years, with intentions for a “fruitful” journey to the Harbour City.
The Demons traded the two-time All-Australian to the Swans after a 17-game season in red and blue, his first with Melbourne after leaving Collingwood with five years remaining on a long-term contract.
Under coach Simon Goodwin and alongside captain Max Gawn, Grundy would remain a solid ruck option at AFL level, but the Demons’ desire to convert the former Magpies star into an attacking asset fell short.
In Melbourne, Grundy and his management had “mature and honest conversations” about the 29-year-old’s future with the Redlegs, with both sides eventually agreeing to part ways after one year together.
Grundy told Triple M that he never expected to be transferred again after leaving Collingwood, but that he is looking forward to life as a Swans player.
“We’ve been pretty settled in Melbourne for the last 11 years, I can’t say 12 months ago I was picturing after my first trade that I’d be getting traded again and going up to Sydney,” he went on to remark.
“…When I signed my long-term contract, I didn’t expect to be leaving Collingwood. But, as things turned out, it was probably the best thing for both parties. I went to Melbourne, and in a year I’ll be in Sydney.
“Things can change; you must be agile in these times; you cannot remain static.” The profession has changed dramatically, and you must be prepared to conduct mature and honest conversations at the appropriate times.
“Once again, it was in both parties’ best interests.” Hopefully, it pays off in Sydney.”
Grundy was required to play at VFL level four times before gaining a berth in Goodwin’s side, with his dismissal from the senior team being a “sobering” moment for the triple Collingwood best and fairest winner.
The former Demons ruckman confessed his game “wasn’t where I wanted to be,” but there was no animosity between him and Melbourne.
“It’s pretty depressing when you get dropped in VFL.” “It’s difficult,” Grundy said.
“Our jobs are a big part of what we do, and they give us a lot of satisfaction.” It’s difficult to reconcile when that’s not where we want to be.
“As I near the end of my career, I want to make the most of my time playing AFL footy.”
“I wanted to see if I could come in and play finals and score some goals.” But it was not to be.
“Toward the end, we had a mutual conversation, and a lot of it was going on in the background with my manager.” I spoke to ‘Goody’ transparently. I don’t have a single negative thing to say about Melbourne. The people are wonderful. For what it’s worth, I had a good time there.
“My two hours on the weekend simply weren’t enough.” I came to Sydney to play AFL football, and I’m looking forward to making it there.”
Grundy had a second suitor in Port Adelaide, who wanted to bring the South Australian product back to his home state as part of their ambitious trade aspirations.
The Unley junior described his decision to pick Sydney over Port Adelaide as “the best thing” for him and his partner, although his mother had hoped for a transfer to Alberton.
“Mum was a bit flat,” Grundy said of his choice to leave South Australia.
“Ultimately, we felt for me and my partner that it was the best thing for my footy up in Sydney, so we’re pumped.”
Grundy will follow former teammates James Jordon and Taylor Adams in moving to Sydney ahead of the pre-season, and the Swans have also recruited Fremantle defender Joel Hamling this off-season.
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